A New Type 1 Complication: Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Researchers have found a possible new complication of type 1 diabetes: obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially serious sleep problem in which a person’s airway becomes blocked for short periods, disrupting sleep and potentially leading to daytime sleepiness and other medical problems. The condition has long been linked with obesity and type 2 diabetes, but researchers found obstructive sleep apnea in 39 of 90 adults with type 1 diabetes who were mostly normal weight. Those with obstructive sleep apnea were also more likely to have diabetes-related eye and kidney complications and to experience low blood glucose during sleep. The good news is that obstructive sleep apnea can be treated with a nighttime continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) machine, so if you think you might have it—snoring is a clue—be sure to mention it to your doctor.